By Tamuka Charakupa
THE government is on an accelerated drive to promote information communication technologies (ICTs) across the country in line with the digital economy thrust under the National Development Strategy One.
Four schools in Chimanimani -including Nedziwa High, Lydia Chimonyo Girls High, Mutambara High and Ndima Government High – became the latest beneficiaries of information communication technology equipment as the government pushes to bridge the urban-rural digital divide in schools.
“We would like to thank the President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa for ensuring that we have enough computers at our school. The curriculum has changed so the introduction of internet research is instrumental in our studies,” Rukudzo Chinzou, Mutambara High School Headboy told ZBC News.
“Now that our schools have been capacitated, we plead with the government now regards connectivity. Our district is mountainous, as such several places have no network coverage. This will ensure total and maximum usage of this recent development,” said Honourable Joshua Sacco, Chimanimani East legislator.
Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyeri, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, said, “Our President has always included Manicaland in development issues since 2019 when Cyclone Idai happened. I am happy that the schools have been included in the agenda through the provision of ICT equipment and connectivity.”
The deputy minister of Information Communication and Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Dingumuzi Phuthi and POTRAZ deputy Director-General Mr Alfred Marisa gave an overview of the national schools’ computerisation programme.
Said Hon Phuthi, “The President is saying that no one should be left behind so as a ministry we are following in his footsteps bringing this programme to schools. Our children should be computer literate such that they can match the same skills just like their urban counterparts.”
“Since last year we have been distributing computers and installing connectivity to schools. We are currently halfway through the first 800 schools that we have equipping since this programme was launched last year,” said Mr Marisa.
The Second Republic is on an accelerated drive to computerise schools and establish community information centres and digital information hubs as the country journeys towards an upper-middle income society by 2030.
